I'll do my best to chronical the events of the last couple of weeks without being too graphic. I finally got a week with no appointments or commitments, probably because George had been sick the week before. I thought that now was as good a time as any. I had done plenty of prep work. We have had potties in the bathrooms since he was 18 months. We have been talking about our bodily functions since then as well. I was ready to stop changing diapers and dealing with his active body while trying to change his diaper. During all this prep work, I read a small book called "Potty Boot Camp". http://www.thepottybootcamp.com/ It sounded like the method for me. Ok, I was ready!
First day is all liquids, padded, training underpants, a timer and lots of accidents. We brought in the outside toys, like his car, so he'd been content to be inside all day and rolled up the area rugs.
It ended up not as bad as I had envisioned. I thought that by nap time I would be at the end of my rope and ready to give up. But actually, George did quite well, having many accidents, but a few successes. After naptime, things we're pretty much the same, sometimes he'd do it, other times, nope...gotta clean it up. I was ready for bedtime, I will admit. But I know it could have been a lot worse.
Day two...We got out the "Cars" movie for more motivation to stay inside. I was worried he'd be so into the movie that he'd have too many accidents. George did have more accidents and it was getting to me. So, I really made it clear that when he feels he has to go, he has to say "Mommy, go potty". I had him repeat it several times, and practice running to the potty and sitting down. I got him to tell me what he does when he feels he has to go. I think that is what got it to click.
The magic moment, 11:30am, George says "pee-pee". We go to the potty, he sits down, SUCCESS! YAY! He "self initiated" He said he had to go and he did! (Can you believe what I get excited about?!) Because he did this, Pooty Boot Camp suggests a nice, big reward. He got a gift we planned to give him for Christmas before we decided to travel back to the US for Christmas, a rescue center, with a police station, hospital and fire station all in one with the cars and helicopter included. While putting it together, George got up, ran to the potty and did it all by himself, this time double success with #1 and #2 in the potty! I took a picture to email to daddy (not included here). If any of you know Chris' family, this was completely appropriate.
Outside playing in big boy underpants!
From that time on, we had a few accidents, mostly outside or in new places. I was thrilled when he did it in the grocery store bathroom, but sad when he had an accident in nursery at church. Now, several weeks later, he is reliably telling me he has to go and having very few accidents. I'm thrilled, but carrying around a diaper is much lighter than carrying around the portable pottty. I went from a huge diaper bag to a smaller bag, now I'm back to the huge diaper bag.
We are able to go to parks, go for walks, play at friends' houses, all diaper free. We're still working on dry naps and mornings, but all in due time. Right now, I'm happy with how things are. Next step, is "peeing standing up, like daddy".
